School board’s Shores, Goforth receive recognition

by Larry Chowning – 

The Middlesex County School Board (MCSB) honored Dr. Richard Shores and Jim Goforth for 46 years between them of service on the MCSB at their last board meeting on Monday, Dec. 13.

Goforth has served 24 years on the board and Dr. Shores 22 years. The Hartfield District School Board representative, Goforth, and Saluda District representative, Dr. Shores, both opted not to run for another four-year term.

Jenny I. McMurtrie won the Hartfield school board seat and Dana D. Burnett ran unopposed and won the Saluda District seat in the November 2021 election and will fill seats of Goforth and Dr. Shores starting this month.

Chairman’s comments

MCSB Chairman Claudia Soucek praised the two longtime board members. “Dr. Shores and Jim are leaving a lasting legacy that will ripple through the generations,” said Soucek.

She praised Dr. Shores for his lifelong dedication to education and that he set all attendance records for attending the most Middlesex High School graduations of any board member.

Soucek said that Goforth brought 13 years of experience to the board as a former Middlesex County School assistant superintendent and superintendent of schools.

She praised the work Goforth did as the MCSB representative on the Bridging Communities Regional Career and Technical Center board and his service on The Middlesex Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to provide affordable housing for new teachers arriving in the county.

Superintendent’s comments

Current Middlesex County School superintendent Dr. Tracy Seitz, along with four former superintendents, joined in on the celebration for the two retired board members.

Seitz said that she has “loved” working with Goforth and Dr. Shores. “You have made Middlesex County a better place and that legacy is going to live on in generations of families in Middlesex,” she said. “Your knowledge and understanding of our community and your dedication to education and MCPS is going to be missed.”